SQUIRRELS. 99 



are introduced. This is then fired, and the hollow trunk acting 

 as a chimney, creates a draft and the smoke is soon seen curling 

 lazily from every hole and crevice. The poor inmates, some- 

 times to the number of six or eight, endure the torture as long as 

 possible, and are finally forced, singed and smoking, to seek safety 

 m flight from their wood-locked home. The yelling demons be- 

 low, armed with guns, sticks, clubs, and all manner of destructive 

 implements, soon finish the half roasted creatures, who are so 

 confused on reaching the open air, that they do little more than 

 drop to the earth. Sometimes they remain so long in the tree, 

 that their claws are burned off and being unable to hold to any 

 thing, they fall helpless to the ground, and the horde of savages 

 pounce upon the unfortunates. The charge of shot from the old 

 Queen Ann, or flintlock musket, is saved this time for the next 

 victim, who may not be quite so much cooked and helpless. 



